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RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of a monoclonal antibody in treating patients with stage IV melanoma.

After completion of study treatment patients are followed every 2 months for 5 years.

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 120 Years (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed melanoma

Stage IV disease (M1a and M1b only)

Measurable disease according to RECIST criteria

HLA-A2 positive

Must have IgA in serum (any concentration)

No known standard therapy for this disease that is potentially curative or proven capable of extending life expectancy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

ECOG performance status 0-2

Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL

Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm^3

AST ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal

Not pregnant or nursing

Negative pregnancy test

Fertile patients must use effective contraception

Able to provide informed consent

Agrees to return to Mayo Clinic Rochester for follow-up

Agrees to participate in the mandatory translational research component of the study

No uncontrolled or current infection

No known immune deficiency

No B or AB blood grouping

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered

More than 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy

No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00658892